Hopper gate closing mechanism



Nov. 28, 1933. H KUEHUNG 1,937,232

HOPPER GATE CLOSING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1932 Patented No 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE norrnn GATE CLOSING MECHANISM Application February 19, 1932. Serial No. 593,944

5 Claims. (01. 221-144) This invention relates to a gate closing mechanism for a hopper, or bin, or the like, and has particular reference to the provision of a gate cured to a shaft 18 running lengthwise of the gate. By removal of the pins which secure the eye-bQlts 14 to the levers, these bolts are free mechanism which will insure proper closure toweturned and so threaded inwardly or out- -1it1i usual hoppers, or bins, in which sheet metal gates are used there generally occurs such displacement or looseness of the parts that a proper closure is not eiiected and accordingly if the hopper contains fine materials they will leak therefrom. It is a broad object of the present invention to provide means by which closing pressure is applied to the door, or gate, and distributed properly to prevent leakage oi the fine materials such as mineral dust used in asphalt paving mixtures. A further object is to provide means of easily adjusting the pressure applied to the gate, or door, by a plurality of sets of toggle levers which are so connected that they may be operated either for opening or closing the doorby a single operating lever which requires a minimum of efiort on the part of the operator, the lever mechanism assisting by its weight in closing the gate after the material has been discharged.

Other objects of the invention relating particularly to details will be apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the bottom portion of a hopper with the gate closing mechanism carried thereby;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken transversely of the gate illustrating certain connections.

The hopper, the bottom of which is designated at 2, is provided with a bottom opening 4 discomplete efiective clos e is prevented. To avoid points along it this, pressure is a ied to the gate at several ength. Pivoted in upstanding pairs of any 0 carried by the gate are members 12 in the form of short shafts, or pins. Into these nembers 12- there may be adjustable threaded eye-bolts 14. The eyes of these bolts re pivoted by suitable removable pins passing fiherethrough to the outer ends of levers 16 sewardly through the rotary members 12 to adjust the effective length of the levers formed by the combined elements 12 and 14. It will be obvious that by reason of this arrangement the various eye-bolts 14 may be individually adjusted with respect to each other so that in case the gate is exceptionally loose at one end while being properly tight at the other end there may be an equalization of the members to secure a proper uniform closure throughout.

At one end of the shaft 18 which is pivoted in fixed bearings preferably carried by the sides of the chute 5 there is connected a short lever arm 20 to the outer end of which is pivoted a link 22, the upper end of which is in turn pivoted to an intermediate portion of a long operating lever 24, the rear end of which is pivoted at 26 to a fixed portion of the hopper. An adjustable stop 28 provided preferably by a threaded screw is connected to the side'plate of the chute 5 so as to limit the downward movement/of the lever 20. This stop is so placed that the toggles are stopped in their substantially fully extended position so as to hold the gate tightly closed. Preferably the toggle'joint isrlimited in its movement just a short angular distance past its straightline position so that the lever mechanism is locked when the door is closed thereby preventing the door from opening when the load is applied from within.

By reasom of the linkage made up of 20, 22 and 24 it v" be seen that the gate is both opened and closed very readily. The weight of the lever 24 l assist in closing the gate inasmuch as c osing is effected as the lever 24 moves downwardly. Preferably the pivot 26 is arranged, as

illustrated, above the hinge of the gate and the other parts so that the operator may more readily and easily open the gate with a minimum of angular movement of the long lever 24, the augular movement being'movable so that a very 'considerable rotation of shaft 18 is efiected. It will be noted from the drawing that a very slight angular movement of lever 24 of less than 30 will produce a movement of shaft 18 of more than 60. The length of lever 24 further insures a minimum of effort in closing the gate against heavy loads thereon.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letter Patent is:

l. A bin having a bottom opening, an elon= 

